It has always been a part of adolescence to try various substances. It usually happens as a part of testing the boundaries established by parents and society. Not every teen will experiment, but many will, even if parents, teachers, and other authority figures try to prevent that.
There are always programs for substance abuse for teens who take their experimentation too far. Ideally, though, a teen will have open lines of communication with the adults in their life who they respect. They will not be tempted by peer pressure or other factors to try some of the substances to which they might have access.
Parents, teachers, religious leaders, and other adults should know what substances there are that teens are likely to try these days. That way, they can know to be on the lookout for them. Weโll talk about some of those substances right now.
Alcohol
Teens trying alcohol has been going on for thousands of years. Even the earliest humans mastered the fermentation process, so a teen trying to get their hands on some beer or liquor is far from unusual.
You canโt legally drink in this country till you turn twenty-one, but that does not stop some teenagers from buying alcohol with fake IDs. They might also ask someone they know who is of legal age to buy them alcohol, or they may steal a liquor bottle from their parents if they get a chance. Adults must be aware of these possibilities and watch for signs of intoxication in their teens.
Vaping
Vaping has become very popular in recent years, even as the use of cigarettes has waned. Vaping involves someone using a vape pen and inhaling a kind of water vapor thatโs infused with nicotine and other chemicals. The nicotine in these vape cartridges is addictive, and whoever uses them can get a euphoric sensation they might come to enjoy.
Much like alcohol, parents should talk to their teens about vaping and how dangerous it can be. It can lead to many health problems, and itโs nowhere near as harmless as the companies that manufacture the pens and cartridges would have you believe.
Marijuana Products
Recreational marijuana use is possible now in many states. It seems likely that as time passes, the regions that have held out so far will also legalize it. The tax revenue it brings in is a boon to many states, which serves as a strong incentive.
Teens are not legally allowed to purchase recreational marijuana or the various edibles, tinctures, and other THC derivatives that are now available. Like alcohol, though, the proliferation of legal weed products makes it easier for teenagers to obtain them now than might have been true in the past.
Much like alcohol and vape pens, parents and teachers need to know what marijuana use looks like and be on the lookout for it. If they tell kids about the possible harm these products can bring, they might be able to convince them not to try them.
